Study on the\nImprovement of the Degradation Efficiency\nof Methylene Blue Using Pulsed Direct-Current Self-Power Supply

Effective treatment of dye wastewater is currently a\ngreat concern\nand a research hotspot. Electrocatalysis has unique advantages in\ntreating toxic and harmful refractory dye wastewater; however, it\nrequires an external power supply, which increases energy consumption\nand cost. As a new energy collection technology, triboelectric nanogenerators\n(TENGs) have gained considerable attention. In this study, an origami\nmultilayer spherical friction nanogenerator (Q-TENG) was developed\nfor the removal of methylene blue (MB) from dye wastewater. The current\nand voltage output performances of Q-TENG were explored, and the removal\nand degradation mechanisms of MB were discussed. Results indicated\nthat when the water wave acceleration <i>a</i> = 3 m/s<sup>2</sup>, the open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current reached\nthe maximum values of 179 V and 9.4 μA, respectively. The self-powered\ncatalytic degradation of MB using Q-TENG can produce more <sup>•</sup>OH and SO<sub>4</sub><sup>–•</sup>, and the free radicals\nincrease with increasing action time of Q-TENG, thus increasing the\ndegradation efficiency of MB. This study provides a new strategy for\nsolving the problem of high energy consumption during electrochemical\nreactions in wastewater treatment.